System and method for through window personal cloud transmission

ABSTRACT

A radio frequency (RF) front end device has a signal traveling from a first antenna to a second antenna in an uplink path and a signal traveling from a third antenna to a fourth antenna in a downlink path. The device is under the control of automatic on/off controller (AOOC) which upon receiving a signal indication from a receive signal detector and amplifier (RSDA) turns on the operations of power amplifier (PA) and simultaneously turns off a low noise amplifier (LNA). This LNA is turned off when the power amplifier is turned on to prevent uplink path and downlink path forming a feedback loop which would result in oscillation, noise and interference.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This patent application claims priority as a non-provisional of U.S.Provisional Patent Application 62/968,147, filed on Jan. 30, 2020 and asa Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/595,914,filed on Oct. 8, 2018; which claim priority as a non-provisional of U.S.Provisional Patent Application 62/757,052, filed on Nov. 7, 2018 and asa Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/614,555,filed on Jun. 5, 2017; which claims priority as a Continuation-In-Partof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/803,828, filed on Jul. 20, 2015;which claims priority as a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/831,663, filed on Mar. 15, 2013; which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/705,383, filed Sep. 25, 2012;the aforementioned applications all being incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to portable electronic devicesand antenna arrays and, in particular, the present disclosure relates toan always on radio frequency (RF) communication device.

BACKGROUND

There are presently a wide variety of portable electronic devices 102 asdisclosed in FIG. 1A. The portable electronic devices may includecellphones such as the iPhone®, Nexus, Lumia and the like and tabletpersonal computers (PCs) such as the iPad®, Kindle® and similar typedevices. These portable electronic devices are often protected by asimple case cover 104 as disclosed in FIG. 1B. These prior art casecovers 104 typically do not contain any functional components beyond theprotective cover itself.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the disclosure include a communication device comprising: adownlink path having a low noise amplifier in an on state; a firstantenna in an uplink path capable of receiving a first signal at a firstfrequency and coupled to a receive signal detector and amplifier (RSDA);a controller capable of receiving an indication from the RSDA that thefirst signal has been received and automatically turning on the uplinkpath by activating a power amplifier and turning off the downlink pathby turning off the low noise amplifier; and the power amplifier capableof amplifying the first signal and sending the first signal to a secondantenna which is capable of transmitting the first signal at the firstfrequency.

Aspects of the disclosure further include a communication devicecomprising: a downlink path having a low noise amplifier in an on state;a first antenna in an uplink path capable of receiving a first signal ata first frequency and coupled to a receive signal detector and amplifier(RSDA); a controller capable of receiving an indication from the RSDAthat the first signal has been received and automatically turning on theuplink path by activating a power amplifier and turning off the downlinkpath by turning off the low noise amplifier; wherein the controlleroperates a phase shifter and antenna array to steer the transmit andreceive direction of the antenna and direct the alignment of the firstsignal; and the power amplifier capable of amplifying the first signaland sending the first signal to a second antenna which is capable oftransmitting the first signal at the first frequency.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of a prior art mobile computing device.

FIG. 1B is a front view of a prior art simple case cover for a mobilecomputing device.

FIG. 2A is a front view of a personal cloud case cover (PCCC).

FIG. 2B is a side view of the PCCC of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of the PCCC.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a third embodiment of the PCCC.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of the PCCC.

FIG. 6A is a front view of a fifth embodiment of the PCCC.

FIG. 6B is a side view of the PCCC of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a PCCC in a cloud/networked environmentutilizing 3rd Generation (3G), 4th Generation (4G), Fifth Generation(5G) and similar wireless connections.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the PCCC in another cloud/networkedenvironment system.

FIG. 9 is a view of the PCCC operating with a large external monitor.

FIG. 10 is a PCCC 200 with an antenna array 240 in communication with acommunication tower (e.g., cell tower, base station or the like) 1002using millimeter (mm) wave signals 1003, 1004.

FIG. 11 illustrates an environment in which a communication tower 1002communicates through downlink signal 1003 and uplink signal 1004 backand forth in mm wave signals between a PCCC 200 with an antenna array240 mounted on a window 1106 inside a building 1108.

FIG. 12 shows an operating environment 1200 in which a communicationtower 1002 communicates through mm wave signals 1103 and 1104 back andforth to and from a PCCC 200 with an antenna array 240 mounted in avehicle 1202 on the glass 1204 through an adhesive.

FIG. 13A shows an operating environment 1300 in which user equipmentdevice 1112 has a PCCC 200 (e.g., mounted or integrated) so that PCCCs200 can communicate with each other wirelessly using mm waves 1302 andFIG. 13B illustrates a phone 1304 physically connected with a PCCC 200(e.g., mounted or integrated) so that two PCCCs 200 can communicate witheach other wirelessly.

FIG. 14A shows an alternative operating environment 1400 in which acommunication tower 1002 communicates through mm wave signals 1003 and1004 back and forth with an antenna array 1402 mounted on an antennapanel 1403. FIG. 14B is a planar view of one embodiment of the antennaarray 1402 mounted on an antenna panel 1403. FIG. 14C is top view of analternative embodiment of FIG. 14B in which the antenna panel 1403 andantenna array 1402 is bendable. FIG. 14D is a perspective view and FIG.14E a top view of two antenna arrays 1402 mounted on panels 1403arranged in a back to back configuration. FIG. 14F is top view of analternative embodiment of FIGS. 14D and 14E in which the antenna panels1403 and antenna arrays 1402 are bendable. FIG. 14G is a perspectiveview and FIG. 14H is a top view of three antenna arrays 1402 mounted onthe exterior side of corresponding panels 1403 and arranged in atriangular configuration to improve the 360 degree reception. FIG. 14Iis a perspective view of four antenna arrays 1402 mounted on theexterior side of four panels 1403 to also improve the 360 degreereception. FIG. 14J is a perspective view of six antenna arrays 1402mounted on the exterior sides of panels 1403. FIG. 14K shows aperspective view and FIG. 14L a top view of a circular antenna array1402 mounted on the exterior of circular antenna panel 1403 to obtain360 degree coverage. FIG. 14M is a side view and FIG. 14N is a top viewof a dome shaped antenna panel 1403 with an antenna array 1402 on top toobtain 360 degree coverage.

FIG. 15A shows an edge-emitting antenna (EEA) element 1500 for emittingelectromagnetic waves 1502. FIG. 15B shows an array 1514 of EEA's 1500that can be used to enhance 1503 the strength of the electromagneticwave 1502 transmitted in a selected direction. FIGS. 15C and 15D showarrays 1514 can be mounted at the edges or corners of a mobile device1520 having a PCB 1522 such as smartphones, wireless tablets, andcomputers. FIG. 15E shows EEA arrays 1514 (or could be individual EEAelements in an alternative embodiment) which could be arranged to havethe primary radiation pointing to or from different directions. FIG. 15Fshows EEA arrays 1514 (or could be individual EEA elements 1500 in analternative embodiment) in a stack of multiple layers and be arranged tohave its primary radiation pointing to or from different directions.FIG. 15G shows a multi-layer antenna array 1530 made up of EEA arrays1514 receiving signals 1530 through power amplifiers 1532 andtransmitting electromagnetic wave RF signals 1502. FIG. 15H shows amulti-layer antenna array 1530 made up of EEA arrays 1514 which is partof an antenna array module 1533 that can be used to transmit or toreceive electromagnetic wave RF signals 1502. FIG. 15I shows amultilayer EEA array 1530 made up of N+1 array 1514 layers in a range of2 to 10 or greater with each layer 1514 capable of functioningindependently or jointly. FIG. 15J shows that a multilayer EEA array1530 could be configured so that each layer 1514 can functionindependently or jointly (e.g., operating at different frequencies).

FIG. 16 shows a radio frequency (RF) front end in a device 1600 withautomatic transmission/reception (Tx/Rx) function by signal detection.

FIG. 17 shows a radio frequency (RF) front end in the device 1600 withautomatic transmission/reception (Tx/Rx) function by signal detectionwith a switch.

FIG. 18 shows an RF device 1600 on the other side of a barrier 1800 suchas glass, a wall, or the like from a base station 1002.

FIG. 19 shows two RF devices 1600 which are aligned on both sides of abarrier 1800.

FIG. 20A shows an alternative embodiment of device 1600 in which each ofthe antennas 1602, 1612, 1614 and 1616 are mechanically adjustable(e.g., bendable, screw driver adjustable) so that the operator can alignthem with base station 1002 or wireless terminal device 708, 710. FIG.20B shows device 1600 aligned with and receiving long distance signalsfrom a base station and FIG. 20C shows the device 1600 positioned toalign with both a base station 1002 and a wireless terminal device 708,710 to avoid a large obstacle such as a building.

FIG. 21 shows a front view close up of antenna array 2100. Antenna array2100 is a low cost antenna array in the form of a panel made and/orprinted on a thin film material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although particular aspects or features of the following disclosure maybe described with reference to one or more particular embodiments and/ordrawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited tousage in the one or more particular embodiments or drawings withreference to which they are described, unless expressly specifiedotherwise. The functionality and/or the features of the embodiments thatare described may be alternatively embodied by one or more other deviceswhich are described but are not explicitly described as having suchfunctionality/features.

Current mobile computing device covers are limited in theirfunctionality by mainly providing protection from environmental shocksfor mobile computing devices. However, the personal cloud cover case (or“PCCC”) as disclosed in this application by providing electroniccomponent accessories and functionalities to the cover case enhances theability of a mobile computing device located inside the PCCC to providecloud computing services. Cloud computing is the use of computingresources that are delivered as a service over a network (such as theInternet) and which reside in the “cloud”. The mobile computing devicein the case could be an iPad®, iPhone®, PC tablet, Android® basedtablet, TouchPad, Nexus 7®, Slate® or the like.

FIG. 2A is a front view of a PCCC 200 which is shown in an openposition. The case 200 provides a personal cloud to the user and accessto a wireless network (such as 3G, 4G, 5G, WiFi, SuperWifi, and similartechnologies) of a mobile computing device (not shown) stored in thecase 200. The case 200 may be made of any material (hard and/or soft)that makes the case lightweight but durable and resilient such asplastic, silicone, ceramic, fabric, leather, steel, aluminum,fiberglass, titanium, Kevlar, or rubber. The case 200 could be acontinuous piece of material with a flexible (or bendable) area 201located between two opposing panels (first panel 202 and second panel204) which pivot together around a compartment 203 for containing themobile computing device. In an alternative embodiment, the case 200could be made up of plurality of attached sections (201, 202 and 204).First panel 202 also has 4 sleeves 202 a to hold the mobile computingdevice in place in the case 200. In alternative embodiments, the mobilecomputing device could be attached to the PCCC 200 using a plurality ofmagnets (instead of the sleeves 202 a) positioned under the mobiledevice, rubber straps or other similar attachment methods.

The first panel 202 is constructed in layers and includes inner firstpanel layer 202 c, outer first panel layer 202 d and embedded circuitboard 206. Typically, from the front view the circuit board 206 cannotbe seen since it is located underneath the first panel layer 202 c shownin cutaway but which is designed to cover substantially the entire firstpanel 202. An antenna 206 a is located on the circuit board 206 and maybe in contact with the mobile communication device wirelessly, throughphysical contact or by connector 202 b. Connector 202 b is optional andin alternative embodiments it would not be present. The antenna 206 awill allow for better transmission and reception on the part of themobile communication device. The antenna 206 a can be a “chip” antenna,printed circuit board (PCB) antenna or the like covering a plurality ofwireless bands (e.g., 400 MHz-3.6 GHz). Alternatively, a PCB antenna maybe used, and the antenna 206 a will be printed directly onto the circuitboard 206. Also located on the board 206 is a two-way wireless chargingunit 208 which is in substantial proximity to the resting place of themobile communication device in the cover 200. The charging unit 208 isdesigned such that when the mobile communication device is in proximityto the charging unit an electromagnetic field generated by the chargingunit pulls the communication device into proper position and alignmentfor optimal charging (i.e., charging coil alignment). The wirelesscharging unit 208 is connected through a bidirectional electrical link210 to power source 212 located on a circuit board 207 embedded in thesecond panel 204. The bidirectional electrical link 210 is an example ofthe plurality of electrical connections that are made throughout thecase 200 but which are not necessarily shown in the Figures. Link 210might be in the form of a ribbon cable so as not to be damaged with theopening and closing of the case 200. The wireless charging unit 208 iscapable of wirelessly charging the mobile communication device withpower received from the power source 212 or wirelessly receive powerfrom the mobile communication device and transfer it to the power source212. The wireless charging unit 208 may operate by magnetic resonance,inductive charging, or power over radio frequency (RF) or similarwireless charging methods. The power source 212 is used to power theplurality of components located throughout the cover 200 and, asdescribed, can also be used as a backup battery for the mobile computingdevice when the voltage in the battery of the mobile computing devicefalls below a predetermined level.

The second panel 204 can be made up of an inner second panel 204 a andan outer second panel 204 b containing the embedded circuit board 207but which typically cannot be seen from a front view since it is coveredby inner second panel layer 204 a. The inner second panel layer 204 acovers substantially the entire second panel 204 but is only partiallyshown in cutaway so as to illustrate the components mounted on thecircuit board 207 in the outer second panel 204 b. It should beunderstood that the inner second panel layer 204 a and the outer secondpanel layer 204 b can be coupled together by a variety of methods suchas ultrasonic bonding, mechanical fasteners, adhesives, or solvents. Inalternative embodiments, the inner second panel 204 a may be entirely orsubstantially detachable from the outer second panel 204 b; the innersecond panel 204 a may be a closure flap that is fastened close by meansof adhesive, a snap button, or Velcro or the inner second panel 204 amay not be present at all so as to allow easy access to the componentsmounted on the board 207 in the outer second panel 204 b. The case 200may further be made up of a plurality of modules 214, 216, 218 and 220mounted on the circuit board 207 which allow the PCCC 200 to havemulti-functional capability. The modules may be made of low profilecomponents which help minimize the thickness of the cover. The pluralityof modules may be permanently mounted, may snap-in to the board 207 ormay be some combination thereof. First module 214 may include a wirelesswide area network modem (WWAN). The WWAN could include baseband, a radiofrequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a radio frequency front-end module(RF FEM), Envelope Tracking (ET), Power Management IC (PMIC), and otherconnected components to link the mobile computing device to a mobilenetwork such as a 3G, 4G or future generation network. Second module 216may include a wireless local area network (WLAN) modem for a mobilecomputing device to connect to a local router and then to 2G, 3G and 4Gnetworks. The WLAN modem can be baseband, RFIC, RF FEM and otherconnectivity components. The case 200 may contain near fieldcommunications (NFC) technology which may be used for contactless shortrange communications based on RF identification standards (RFID) usingmagnetic field induction to enable communication between the electroniccomponents in the case 200 over short distances such as a fewcentimeters. In other embodiments, the WLAN modem connection could bemade using wireless protocols such as WiFi, SuperWiFi (i.e., the nextgeneration WiFi with superior range), Bluetooth, wireless for highdefinition multimedia interface (WHDMI), or the like. Third module 218may be internal storage such as solid-state drives (SSD) or flash memory(e.g., MultiMedia Card (MMC), electronic MMC (eMMC) or the like). Fourthmodule 220 may contain a sensor chip that is able to detect biometricsinputs such as finger prints, eye movement, face shape, and the like.Module 220 can be used for functions such as a security feature forallowing or denying access to the electronic components in the case,gaming, and medical purposes (e.g., measuring blood cell count and thelike). The second panel 204 may also include a smart feature such as asynchronization input 230 (e.g., such as a button, touch screen, or thelike) that allows the plurality of electronic components (e.g., module218) in the PCCC 200 to be synched to other networked devices in thecloud when operated. This input 230 would primarily be used when amobile communication device is not present in the PCCC 200. The input230 may be used to backup data stored in the components of the PCCC 200.Reference 232 in FIG. 2A shows a controller which may be used with themobile communication device or in the absence of the mobile device tocontrol the electronic components in the PCCC 200. For example, in thesynching process when input 230 is operated the controller 232 woulddirect the synching operation.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the case 200 in a closed position. Dataconnection ports 224 and 226 provide communication capabilities to thecase 200. Ports 224 and 226 may be a mini universal serial bus (USB),micro universal USB port or an audio visual (AV) connector such as ahigh definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port and the like. Chargingport 228 can be connected to the grid or other power source to feed thepower source 212.

FIG. 3 is a second embodiment of the PCCC 200. Common numbering is usedin FIGS. 3 though 9 and FIGS. 2A to 2B to denote similar elements. Inthis second embodiment, instead of wireless charging, a docking bay 305having a set of electrical contacts is configured to electrically engagewith the input/output contacts on a mobile communication device. Thedocking bay 305 may be a standard connector that allows the mobilecommunication device to receive power through line 307 from power source217.

FIG. 4 illustrates a third embodiment of the PCCC 200. A mobilecommunication device 400 can be connected to a local area or wide areanetwork through wireless modem 402 which may be 3G, 4G, 3G/4G, 5G,WHDMI, Bluetooth, WiFi, SuperWiFi, and other wireless standard. Module404 is a replaceable, rechargeable battery that is charged through line412 from the wireless charger 208 and receives power from mobilecommunication device 400. Module 404 performs the same function as powersource 212 in FIG. 2 but is arranged differently in the case 200 asshown in FIG. 4 . The wireless charger 208 may be located on the firstpanel 202 beneath the mobile communications device 400. The module 404can also be charged from a power outlet when the case 200 is plugged in.The module 404 can be used as a power source for other modules(reference numerals 408 and 410 as discussed below) located in the case200. An embedded memory bank 406 includes a plurality of memory modulesand is mounted on the second panel 204. The memory bank modules may be500 MegaByte (MB), 1 Gigabyte (GB), 1 Terrabyte (TB) or the like inmemory size. Memory slots 410 are capable of holding additional memorysuch as removable micro-Secure Digital (micro-SD) memory cards forstorage expansion.

FIG. 5 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the PCCC 200 whichdemonstrates that the plurality of modules are detachable and could betwo instead of three in the case 200. Also, FIG. 5 discloses a wirelessdata connection 512 between the device 400 and memory bank 406 usingWiFi, SuperWiFi or Bluetooth protocols. In alternate embodiments, thedata connection 512 could be a hardwired such as a Universal Serial Bus(USB), microUSB, miniUSB, or HDMI (with the data line being flexiblybendable across the flexible region 201 in the form of a ribbon cable orthe like). In other embodiments, the connection could also be an opticalwireless link or cable such as infrared. The data transfer could bebi-directional to allow for read and write both ways from device 400 tomemory 406 and from memory 406 to device 400.

FIG. 6A is another embodiment of the PCCC with just one panel 500attached to the device 400 through attachments 502. Attachments 502 maybe magnets, clip ins, connectors or some other type of hinge. Theattachments 502 may internally include a plurality of electrical linksto provide power from the power source 212 to the mobile communicationdevice 400 as well as provide data communications between the modules onthe panel 500 and the device 400. The power source 212 may include awireless charging unit so as to wirelessly charge the device 400. Thecharging may take place when the panel 500 is in a lateral positionrelative to the device 400 as shown in FIG. 6A. In an alternativeembodiment, the panel 500 may be folded over and placed in contact withthe device 500 to establish an electrical power link between the powersource 212 and electrical contacts located on the device 400. Also,similar to the embodiment of FIG. 5 , a wireless data connection may beestablished between the device 400 and the plurality of modules on thepanel 500 (items 214, 216, 218, 220, and 222). FIG. 6B is a side view ofthe panel 500 showing the connection ports 224, 226, and 228 which servethe same functions as described in connection with FIG. 2B above.

FIG. 7 illustrates the mobile communication device 300 and PCCC 200operating in a cloud (or networked) environment 700. Storage 706, mobilephone 708 and personal computer (PC) 710 are part of the cloud uponwhich the mobile communications device 300 and PCCC 200 can exchangedata and synchronize through a plurality of wireless links 703. The WWANmodem module 214 and the WLAN modem module 216 of FIG. 7 operate in asimilar manner as described in connection with FIG. 2A above. The mobilecomputing device 300 communicates through a bi-directional wireless link701 with the WLAN modem 216 using Bluetooth, WiFi, SuperWiFi and similarwireless standards. In another embodiment, the link 701 may be a wiredlink. WLAN modem 216 then can read and write wirelessly in a localenvironment with storage 706. The WLAN modem 216 can also communicatewith another mobile phone 708 and PC 710. Alternatively, the mobilecomputing device 300 can communicate through WLAN 216 over abi-directional link 702 with WWAN modem 214. WWAN modem 214 cancommunicate wirelessly using 3G/4G protocols over longer distances thanthe WLAN modem 216 with a cell tower 704 and then to the Internet. Inthe environment of FIG. 7 , the case 200 is acting as “hotspot”. As ahotspot, the case 200 offers network (e.g., Internet) access over theWWAN modem 214 or WLAN modem 216.

FIG. 8 illustrates another variation of the mobile communication device300 and the case 200 in operation 800. This arrangement allows the localstorage 218 to have access to a plurality of devices in the cloud suchas the communication device 708, PC 710 and storage 706 through localwireless router (or access point) 716. As previously discussed inconnection with FIG. 2A, sync input 230 can be operated when the mobilecommunication device is not present in the case 200 to backup all datacontained in the components in the case 200 to the cloud (e.g., devicessuch as 706, 708, 710 and other devices). Another advantage is that thissystem allows for the formation of a “pass through Internet” from themobile communication device 300 to devices 706, 708, 710 and a network(e.g., the Internet). WLAN modem 216 is connected to memory storage 218through link 712 and is capable of establishing wireless communicationswith both the mobile communication device 300 and the devices 706, 708,and 710. In operation, the mobile communication device 300 establishes awireless connection 701 through WiFi, SuperWiFi, 4G or the like to theWLAN modem 216. Through WLAN modem 216, the communication device 300 iscapable of connecting to the memory storage 218 (e.g., providinginformation or instructions regarding reading and/or writing) whilesimultaneously browsing the Internet through wireless link 703 to accesspoint 716. The term simultaneously as used herein shall mean immediateor nearly immediate succession in time. In another embodiment, theconnection from the mobile communication device to the memory storage218 could be wired. Alternatively, the communication device could besimultaneously connecting to memory storage 218 while communicating withdevices 706, 708 and 710 through wireless links 703. This pass throughInternet feature allows the user to access data stored in the memory 218and browse the Internet simultaneously from a single device (mobilecommunication device 300) or a plurality of devices. The WLAN modem 216is designed to operate in one or more bands and cover one or morewireless standards. The bands may include first and second frequencybands (e.g., 2 GHz and 5 GHz). The WLAN modem 216 may use the first bandfor the transmission of information from memory storage 218 to themobile communication device 300 and the second band for communicationswith the access point 716 (and thereby the Internet).

FIG. 9 illustrates another environment 900 in which the PCCC 200 mayoperate. The PCCC 200 allows the mobile communication device 300 to linkthrough WLAN 216 and wireless link 902 with large external monitor 904using WiFi, SuperWiFi, WHDMI, or the like and display information (e.g.,video, audio, or text) from either the mobile communication device 300,the memory storage or another source (e.g., devices 706, 708, 710) on tothe monitor 904.

FIGS. 10-13B illustrate another environment 1000 in which the PCCC 200may operate. As new wireless and fixed standards (such as 4G, 5G,802.11ad, and the like) keep pushing the operating frequencies intomillimeter (mm) wave spectrum (e.g., 28 GHz, 40 GHz, 60 GHz, 70 GHz, 100GHz) it becomes harder and harder (due to higher penetration loss andpath loss) to get the signal inside buildings, houses, cars, and evenmobile phones (as phone casings might prevent millimeter wave signalsfrom getting in or out). These challenges limit the usability of mmwaves and make mm systems very expensive to deploy. The disclosedembodiments described herein help to make mm wave signal penetrationpossible.

In FIGS. 10-13B, PCCC 200 is an alternative embodiment in which anantenna array 240 is mounted in the case. (In alternative embodiments ofFIGS. 10-13B it could be the one panel version of PCCC 500 shown inFIGS. 6A-6B used instead of the multiple panel version of the PCCC 200but FIGS. 10-13B will use PCCC 200 for description purposes). PCCC 200can be any of the embodiments disclosed in FIGS. 1-9 which eitherfurther include antenna array 240 or where antenna array replaceselements and or modules of the PCCC 200 (or PCCC 500) disclosed in FIGS.1-9 . Antenna 240 can be a low cost antenna array 240 made up of cellsin an N×N array (e.g. 2×2, 2×2, 4×4, 8×8, or the like) or an M×N array(e.g., 1×4, 2×4, 2×5, 2×8, or the like). The antenna array 240 could bemade on circuit boards 206 or 207, it could be a chip antenna on thecircuit boards 206 or 207, or it could be a multilayer antenna on thecircuit boards 206 or 207. The antenna array 240 can be used to increasethe gain of the signal 1004, can be used for beam forming and beamsteering, phase shifting, and/or gesture tracking. The antenna array 240may be in contact with the mobile communication device (not shown)wirelessly, through physical contact or through a connector (e.g., 202b) or an electrical link (or links) running through circuit boards 206and 207. In alternative embodiments, the antenna array 240 could beattached to the side or back of the mobile communication device (such aswhen it is the form of embodiment PCCC 500) as well. The antenna array240 may also be coupled to and controlled by the other elements andmodules in the PCCC 200 (or PCCC 500) through electrical links in thecircuit boards 206 and/or 207 and implemented using hardware, software,firmware, middleware, microcode, or any combination thereof. [0041]Antenna array 240 may be configured in a plurality of ways. Antenna 240may be made up of cells in an N×N or M×N array configuration asdiscussed above. The array 240 may made of a low-cost material and anumber of different substrates could be used each having their ownfabrication tolerances and electrical and mechanical properties. Thearray 240 can be made of an Arion CLTE-XT (PTFE ceramic), a Rogers RT5880/RO 3003 (PTFE glass fiber), a Rogers Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP),a low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC), a Parylene N dielectric, apolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) ceramic, a PTFE glass fiber material, asilicon material, a Gallium Arsenite (GaAs) material, an Aluminamaterial, a Teflon material, a Duroid material or any other materialthat can produce thin (about 2-4 mils in thickness) metallized layers.In one embodiment, the layers may be stacked to form a multi-layer arrayarchitecture. With the antenna array 240 printed on a thin filmmaterial, mm wave signals can penetrate through any object efficientlyand at low cost. The PCCC 200 surrounding array 240 may also be made ofglass, plastic, etc.

In FIG. 10 , in operating environment 1000 antenna array 240 allows PCCC200 to communicate with a communication tower (e.g., cell tower, basestation or the like) 1002. Communication tower 1002 and antenna array240 could communicate with each other using, for example, time domain(TDD) or frequency domain signals (FDD) 1002, 1003 (and 1302 asdiscussed below). Downlink signal (or beam) 1003 coming fromcommunication tower 1002 and uplink signal (or beam) 1004 coming fromarray 240 are formed and steered to allow mm wave signal communicationsbetween the array 240 and communication tower 1002. The antenna array240 may be located by communication tower 1002 using Global PositioningSatellite (GPS) technology or by 3G/4G/5G technology. Beams 1003 and1004 (and 1302) may operate in the range of approximately 3 GigaHertz(GHz) to approximately 100 GHz or even higher. Typically, beams 1003 and1004 (and 1302) will operate approximately in a range of plus orminus(+/−) 12% of mm wave frequency signals such as 24 GHz, 28 GHz, 39GHz, 60 GHz, and/or 77 GHz (e.g., for 24 GHz the signal would range fromapproximately 21.12 GHz to approximately 26.88 GHz). Alternatively, mmwave beams 1003 and 1004 (and 1302) can operate in the following ranges:approximately 3.3 GHz to approximately 3.4 GHz; approximately 3.4 GHz toapproximately 3.6 GHz; approximately 3.6 GHz to approximately 3.8 GHz;approximately 5.150 GHz to approximately 5.925 GHz; approximately 24.25GHz to approximately 27.5 GHz; approximately 31.8 GHz to approximately33.4 GHz; approximately 37.0 GHz to approximately 40.5 GHz;approximately 40.5 GHz to approximately 42.5 GHz; approximately 42.5 GHzto approximately 43.5 GHz; approximately 45.5 GHz to approximately 47GHz; approximately 47.0 GHz to approximately 47.2 GHz; approximately47.2 GHz to approximately 50.2 GHz; and approximately 50.4 GHz toapproximately 52.8 GHz.

FIG. 11 shows an alternative operating environment 1100 in which acommunication tower 1002 communicates through downlink signals (orbeams) 1003 and 1004 back and forth in mm wave signals with a PCCC 200(or PCCC 500) with an antenna array 240 mounted on a window 1106 insidea building 1108 (or outside the building, e.g., resting on a ledge).PCCC 200 may be mounted to window 1106 through adhesives such as suctioncups or through some other type of mounting mechanisms. The mm waves1003 sent from communication tower 1002 can be received at PCCC 200.PCCC 200 could then down convert the mm wave signals 1003 using othermodules in the case 200 to lower frequency signals (e.g., approximately2 GHz, 5 GHz, 8 GHz or the like). In some embodiments, these lowerfrequency signals are forwarded from a connection on the case 200 (e.g.,202 b) through a wired coupling (e.g., a cable) 1110 to user equipmentdevice (or a plurality of user equipment devices) 1112. PCCC 200 canalso send signals wirelessly to user equipment device 1112 (e.g., using802.11ad and/or 802.11ax). User equipment device (UED) 1112 located inthe building 1108 has the ability to forward the signal through UEDsignals 1114 and 1116 (which typically are at different frequencies suchas WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc.) to a plurality of devices 1118 such asphones, tablets, and/or televisions. Wired coupling 1110 not onlycarries the RF signals received and sent to and from the antenna array240 but it may also provide control signals and power supply for theantenna array 240. The cable 1110 can typically carry frequencies forexample from approximately 0 to 8 GHz. The cable 1110 can be short orlong. The UED 1112 has the processing power (i.e., CPU, baseband, modem,etc.) to handle the received signal and send signals to and from theantenna array 240. It also may contain communication modules such asWiFi radio, LTE/LTE-AILTE-U/LAA, and/or Zigbee. The UE 1112 can act as asmall cell or WiFi Access Point. The UE 1112 can contact the user to theoutside communication tower 1002 through the antenna array 240.

FIG. 12 shows an alternative operating environment 1200 in which acommunication tower 1002 communicates through mm wave signals 1003 and1004 back and forth with a PCCC 200 (or PCCC 500) with an antenna array240 mounted in a vehicle 1202 on the glass 1204 through an adhesive suchas suction cups. Alternatively, the glass 1204 could be manufacturedwith the components of the PCCC 200 (or PCCC 500) built in.

FIG. 13A shows an alternative operating environment 1300 in which userequipment 1112 can further have a PCCC 200 mounted or integrated so thatPCCCs 200 (or 500) (in this case 3 PCCCs) can communicate with eachother wirelessly using mm waves 1302. A first PCCC 200 could communicatewith a plurality of PCCCs 200 at the same time or different times usingbeam forming, multiple input/multiple output (MIMO), massive MIMO, orthe like. UED 1112 can then turn the mm waves 1302 in order towirelessly communicate with mobile communication devices such as phones,tablets, etc. 1304. In FIG. 13B a phone 1304 can have a PCCC 200 (or500) connected (e.g., mounted or integrated), so that 2 PCCCs 200 couldcommunicate with each other wirelessly for device to devicecommunication. One PCCC 200 could communicate with a plurality of PCCCs200 at the same time or different times using mm waves 1302 with beamforming, MIMO, massive MIMO, or the like.

FIG. 14A shows an alternative operating environment 1400 in which acommunication tower 1002 communicates through microwave and mm wavesignals 1003 and 1004 back and forth with an antenna array elements (or“array” or “antenna array”) 1402 mounted on antenna panel 1403. Thearray 1402 provides a personal cloud to the user and access to awireless network (such as 3G, 4G, 5G, WiFi, SuperWifi, and similartechnologies). As discussed above, new wireless and fixed standards keeppushing the operating frequencies into the microwave and millimeter (mm)wave spectrum (e.g., 28 GHz, 40 GHz, 60 GHz, 70 GHz, 100 GHz) and itbecomes harder and harder (due to higher penetration loss and path loss)to get the signal inside buildings, houses, vehicles 102, and evenmobile phones. The disclosed embodiments described herein help to makemicrowave and mm wave signal penetration possible. Antenna array 1402can be a low cost antenna array made up of cells (or elements) in an N×Narray (e.g. 2×2, 2×2, 4×4, 8×8, or the like) or an M×N array (e.g., 1×4,2×4, 2×5, 2×8, or the like). The array 1402 and antenna panel 1403 couldbe circuit boards, the could be a chip antenna on the circuit boards, orthey could be a multilayer antenna on the circuit boards. The antennaarray 1402 can be used to increase the gain of the signal 1004, can beused for beam forming and beam steering, phase shifting, and/or gesturetracking. The antenna array 1402 may be coupled to and controlled byuser equipment (UE) 1406 (such as a mobile communication device)wirelessly, through physical contact or through a connector (e.g., cableor electrical link(s)) 1408 running through the outer surface of vehicle1202 (including through glass 1204).

Antenna array 1402 and antenna array panel 1403 may be configured in aplurality of ways. Antenna array 1402 may be made up of cells in an N×Nor M×N array configuration as discussed above. The array panel 1403 maymade of a low-cost material and a number of different substrates couldbe used each having their own fabrication tolerances and electrical andmechanical properties. The antenna array panel 1403 can be made of anArion CLTE-XT (PTFE ceramic), a Rogers RT 5880/RO 3003 (PTFE glassfiber), a Rogers Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP), a low temperature cofiredceramic (LTCC), a Parylene N dielectric, a polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE) ceramic, a PTFE glass fiber material, a silicon material, aGallium Arsenite (GaAs) material, an Alumina material, a Teflonmaterial, a Duroid material or any other material that can produce thin(about 2-4 mils in thickness) metallized layers. In one embodiment, thelayers may be stacked to form a multi-layer array architecture. With theantenna array 1402 printed on a thin film material, microwave and mmwave signals can penetrate through any object efficiently and at lowcost.

In operating environment 1400, antenna array 1402 allows user equipment1406 to communicate with communication towers (e.g., cell tower, basestation or the like) 1002. Communication towers 1002 and antenna array1402 could communicate with each other using, for example, time domain(TDD) or frequency domain signals (FDD). Downlink signal (or beam) 1003coming from communication tower 1002 and uplink signal (or beam) 1004coming from array 1402 are formed and steered to allow microwave and mmwave signal communications between the array 1402 and communicationtowers 1002. The antenna array 1402 may be located by communicationtowers 1002 using Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology or by3G/4G/5G technology. Beams 1003 and 1004 may operate in the range ofapproximately 3 GigaHertz (GHz) to approximately 100 GHz or even higher.Typically, beams 1003 and 1004 will operate approximately in a range ofplus or minus (+/−) 12% of mm wave frequency signals such as 24 GHz, 28GHz, 39 GHz, 60 GHz, and/or 77 GHz (e.g., for 24 GHz the signal wouldrange from approximately 21.12 GHz to approximately 26.88 GHz).Alternatively, mm wave beams 1003 and 1004 can operate in the followingranges: approximately 3.3 GHz to approximately 3.4 GHz; approximately3.4 GHz to approximately 3.6 GHz; approximately 3.6 GHz to approximately3.8 GHz; approximately 5.150 GHz to approximately 5.925 GHz;approximately 24.25 GHz to approximately 27.5 GHz; approximately 31.8GHz to approximately 33.4 GHz; approximately 37.0 GHz to approximately40.5 GHz; approximately 40.5 GHz to approximately 42.5 GHz;approximately 42.5 GHz to approximately 43.5 GHz; approximately 45.5 GHzto approximately 47 GHz; approximately 47.0 GHz to approximately 47.2GHz; approximately 47.2 GHz to approximately 50.2 GHz; and approximately50.4 GHz to approximately 52.8 GHz.

Antenna array 1402 may be located at any point on the vehicle 1202including the glass 1204 (and may be printed into or attached by suctioncups to the glass 1204 in an alternative embodiments). The mm waves 1003sent from the communication towers 1002 can be received at antenna array1402 and then down converted in communication device 1406 to lowerfrequency signals (e.g., approximately 2 GHz, 5 GHz, 8 GHz or the like).In some embodiments, these lower frequency signals are forwarded fromarray 1402 through connector 1408 which goes through the outer layer ofthe vehicle 1202 to the user equipment device (or a plurality of userequipment devices) 1406. The antenna array 1402 can also send signalswirelessly to user equipment device 1406 (e.g., using 802.11ad and/or802.11ax). User equipment device 1406 located in the vehicle 1202 hasthe ability to forward the signal through wireless signals (whichtypically are at different frequencies such as WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee,etc.) to a plurality of devices such as phones, tablets, and/ortelevisions which may be located in the vehicle 1202. Wired connector1408 not only carries the RF signals received and sent to and from theantenna array 1402 but it may also provide control signals and powersupply for the antenna array 1402. The connector 1408 can typicallycarry frequencies for example from approximately 0 to 8 GHz. The cable1408 can be short or long. The UE 1406 has the processing power (i.e.,CPU, baseband, modem, etc.) to handle the received signal and sendsignals to and from the antenna array 1402. It also may containcommunication modules such as WiFi radio, LTE/LTE-AILTE-U/LAA, and/orZigbee. The UE 1406 can act as a small cell or WiFi Access Point. The UE1406 can contact the operator of the vehicle 1202 to the outsidecommunication towers 1002 through the antenna array 1402.

In one embodiment, antenna array 1402 may be a single array mounted onan antenna panel 1403 (e.g., a flat panel) at a platform 1405 on top ofa vehicle 1202 (or any other exterior portion of the vehicle includingglass 1204). In alternative embodiments, platform 1405 may have aplurality of arrays 1402 mounted on a plurality of panels 1403. Thepanels 1403 may be arranged in a vertical (or upright) manner comparedto the platform 1405. The panels 1403 may be adjusted mechanically (ormanually) or electronically to improve coverage. Coverage being theability of the array 1402 to transmit and/or receive signals. Themechanical adjustment of panels 1403 may also depend on the phase of thearrays 1402 and the gain of the arrays 1402. Depending on thepositioning of the panels 1403 to each other, coverage may extend in arange from greater than 0 degrees to 360 degrees. The term “surrounding”as used in herein means the coverage for the panels 1403 is greater than180 degrees and up to and including 360 degrees. FIG. 14B is a planarview of one embodiment of the antenna array 1402 mounted on an antennapanel 1403. FIG. 14C is top view of an alternative embodiment of FIG.14B in which the antenna panel 1403 and antenna array 1402 are bendable.In this case, the antenna panel 1403 may be made of a plastic material.FIG. 14D is a perspective view and FIG. 14E a top view of two antennaarrays 1402 mounted on panels 1403 arranged in a back to backconfiguration. This configuration allows for 360 degree transmission andreception of signals in the horizontal plane to and from tower 1002(having a base station) and/or other cell towers. Each of the arrays1402 is coupled to the communication device 1406. FIG. 14F is top viewof an alternative embodiment of FIGS. 14D and 14E in which the antennapanels 1403 and antenna arrays 1402 are bendable. FIG. 14G is aperspective view and FIG. 14H is a top view of three antenna arrays 1402mounted on the exterior side of corresponding panels 1403 and arrangedin a triangular configuration to improve the 360 degree transmission andreception of signals in the horizontal plane. Each of the arrays 1402 iscoupled to the communication device 1406. The arrays 1402 and panels1403 may be configured in any polygonal shape such as the triangle,quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon including up to and beyond decagons.FIG. 14I is a perspective view of four antenna arrays 1402 mounted onthe exterior side of four panels 1403 to form a quadrilateralconfiguration with internal angles of 90 degrees (or approximately 90degrees) and to improve the 360 degree transmission and reception ofsignals in the horizontal plane. Each of the arrays 1402 is coupled tothe communication device 1406. FIG. 14J is a perspective view of sixantenna arrays 1402 mounted on the exterior sides of panels 1403 to forma hexagon configuration. Each of the arrays 1402 is coupled to thecommunication device 1406. FIG. 14K shows a perspective view and FIG.14L a top view of a circular antenna array 1402 mounted on the exteriorof circular panel 1403 to obtain 360 degree coverage transmission andreception of signals in the horizontal plane. The circular configurationof array 1402 is attached to communication device 1406. FIG. 14M is aside view and FIG. 14N is a top view of a dome shaped antenna panel 1403with an antenna array 1402 on top to obtain 360 degree transmission andreception signal coverage in the horizontal plane.

FIG. 15A shows an edge-emitting antenna (EEA) element 1500 for emittingelectromagnetic waves 1502. The EEA element 1500 comprises a resonator1504, one of more directors 1506, and a reflector 1508. The EEA 1500 maybe constructed as metal on an antenna panel (e.g., PCB having dielectriclayers) 1510 or as metal on a semiconductor die.

FIG. 15B shows an array 1514 of EEA's 1500 on antenna panel 1510 thatcan be used to enhance the strength of the electromagnetic wavetransmitted in a selected direction. The main radiating direction andpattern and the electromagnetic waves 1502 of an EEA array 1514 can bedynamically changed by changing the relative phases of RF signals beingsent to the EEA elements 1500.

FIGS. 15C and 15D show arrays 1514 can be mounted at the edges orcorners of a mobile device 1520 having a PCB 1522 such as smartphones,wireless tablets, and computers. FIG. 15D is a perspective view showingelectromagnetic waves 1502 of EEA array 1514 emitting radio frequencysignals (e.g, microwave and mmWave signals) primarily on horizontal(X-Y) plane of the antenna panel 1510 or the semiconductor die. As shownin FIG. 15D, EEA array 1514 is mounted in the X-Y plane parallel to theface of PCB 1522 of a mobile device 1520 and the radio waves areemitting from the edges, sides or the corners of the mobile device 1520advantageously. The radio waves are transmitted and receivedsubstantially in the X-Y plane of the antenna panel 1510 of the array1514 to avoid interference with other circuitry on the PCB 1522. EEAarray 1514 can also be used to transmit RF to a preferred direction orto receive RF signals from a preferred direction, or to both transmitand receive RF signals to and from a preferred direction.

FIG. 15E shows EEA arrays 1514 which could be arranged to have theirprimary radiation and reception pointing to or from differentdirections. FIG. 15E shows the EEAs arrays 1514 pointing, for example,in three different directions at different angles of coverage to improvethe coverage range. EEA arrays 1514 can function independently orjointly and may be controlled by switch 1522 and receive and sendsignals through lines 1524. There can be a switch 1522 for RF signals1524 to different EEA arrays 1514. RF switch 1522 can be used to selectthe antenna for a preferred direction.

FIG. 15F shows EEA arrays 1514 formed in a stack of multiple layers 1530and be arranged to have its primary radiation and reception pointing toor from different directions. EEA arrays 1514 can function independentlyor jointly. Each layer can be used to transmit, to receive, or both totransmit and to receive. Each layer could be combined to shape theelectromagnetic wave beam 1502. Having EEA arrays 1514 pointing todifferent directions could eliminate phase shifters and complexcomputing. As discussed with FIG. 15E, EEA array 1514 layers canfunction independently or jointly and may be controlled by switch 1522and receive and send signals through lines 1524. There can be a switch1522 for RF signals 1524 to different EEA arrays 1514. RF switch 1522can be used to select the antenna for a preferred direction.

FIG. 15G shows a multi-layer antenna array 1530 receiving signals 1530through power amplifiers 1532. Antenna arrays 1514 can be used fortransmitting and receiving RF signals from selected directions.

FIG. 15H shows a multi-layer antenna array 1530 made up of EEA arrays1514 which is part of an antenna array module 1533 that can be used totransmit or to receive RF signals (e.g., mmWave or microwave signals).The module 1533 includes circuitry necessary for RF communications suchas power amplifiers 1532, phase shifters 1534, gain controllers 1536,splitters 1538, and low noise amplifiers 1540.

FIG. 15I shows that a multilayer EEA array 1530 could be made up of N+1array 1514 layers in a range of 2 to 10 or greater with each layer 1514capable of functioning independently or jointly.

FIG. 15J show that a multilayer EEA array 1530 could be configured sothat each layer 1514 can function independently or jointly (e.g., atdifferent frequencies). Each layer can be used to transmit, to receive,or both to transmit and to receive for preferred directions at differentfrequencies. Each layer 1514 could be combined to shape theelectromagnetic beam 1502.

FIG. 16 shows a radio frequency (RF) front end in a device (or housing)1600. The RF front end device 1600 can communicate with both basestations (BS) 1002 and wireless user terminals (UT) 708, 710. An RFsignal 1601, originated from a wireless user terminal 708, 710,traveling from antenna 1602 to antenna 1612 for transmitting to basestation 1002 is an uplink (UL) signal. Conversely, an RF signal 1615,originated from a base station, traveling from antenna 1614 to antenna1616 for transmitting to wireless user terminal 708, 710 is a downlink(DL) signal. A wireless terminal unit (e.g., user devices such as cellphones 708, personal computers or tablet computers 710, connectedvehicles, and other internet of things IoT devices) is capable ofsending a signal to the unit 1600 and to be received by antenna 1602.Unit 1600 is under the control of automatic on/off controller (AOOC)1606. When there is no signal from the wireless terminal unit, thedownlink path is on and the uplink path is off. In a start state (ornormal state) when there is no uplink signal from the wireless terminalunit, low noise amplifier (LNA) 1610 in the downlink path is on andreceive signal detector and amplifier (RSDA) 1604 and power amplifier1608 in the uplink path are off (which will be discussed below). Whenantenna 1602 receives a uplink signal 1601 from the wireless terminaldevice it travels on the uplink path to receive signal detector andamplifier (RSDA) 1604. RSDA 1604 is a signal detector and amplifierwhich detects and amplifies the received signal having a firstfrequency. Automatic on/off controller (AOOC) 1606 based on a signalindication from the RSDA 1604 turns on the operations of power amplifier(PA) 1608 and simultaneously turns off low noise amplifier (LNA) 1610.This LNA is turned off when the power amplifier 1608 is turned on toprevent uplink path and downlink path forming a feedback loop whichwould result in oscillation, noise and interference. The uplink signalis subsequently amplified by power amplifier 1608 and sent to antenna1612 which transmits an RF signal 1613 to a base station 1002. Thefrequency of signal 1601 and 1613 will be the same. RSDA 1604 allows RFuplink signals at antenna 1602 to be autonomously amplified without theintervention of physical layer controls such as controls from modem ordigital baseband. After transmission of signal 1613, the controller 1606resets to the normal operating state by turning LNA 1610 in the downlinkpath back on and the power amplifier 1608 in the uplink path off.Antenna 1614 is capable of receiving a downlink signal 1615 at a secondfrequency which is amplified by the turned on LNA 110. This amplifiedsignal is sent to antenna 1616 which transmits an RF signal 1617 to thewireless terminal unit 708,710. The first and second frequencies may bethe same or different.

FIG. 17 shows an alternative embodiment of unit 1600. In thisembodiment, instead of a plurality of antennas (1612, 1614), a switch1700 is coupled to a single antenna 1612 to connect uplink or downlinkpaths to the antenna 1612. Switch 1700 is also controlled by automaticon/off control (AOOC) 1606 which allows autonomous transmitting orreceiving operations at antenna 1612. In a normal state, the switch 1700allows the downlink path to be open and when a first signal is receivedat RSDA 1604, the AOOC 1606 changes the transmission path to the uplinkpath.

The RF device 1600 overcomes the complexity of conventional approachesby eliminating complicated circuit structure with up/down converters,digital to analog (D/A), digital control and the like. RF device 1600 ispurely analog. In RF signal transmission, the strength of a signal dropsas its travelling distance increases or from passing through barrierssuch as building structures, walls, or windows. But background noiselevel remains. As a result, the signal to noise ratio (S/N ratio) dropsto a level that the signal can no longer carry the information to becommunicated. RF device 1600 senses the radio waves in the air andamplifies them automatically so that the signal is strong enoughcompared to background noise. This allows the signal to continue topropagate with good signal noise ratio (S/N), sufficient to get throughbarriers and continue to propagate. Therefore RF device 1600 is simple,and can be made into compact integrated circuits with semiconductorssuch as gallium arsenide (GaAs), silicon germanium (SiGe), andcomplementary metal oxide silicon (CMOS) to be low in cost.

FIG. 18 shows the RF device 1600 on the other side of a barrier 1800such as glass window, a wall, or the like from the base station 1002.The barrier 1800 can diminish signals so that they are attenuated whenthey make through the barrier. Antenna 1614 is able to detect thesefaint signals and amplify them in the LNA 1610.

FIG. 19 shows two RF devices 1600 operate as discuss above and which arealigned on both sides of a barrier 1800 wall or window. RF signal 1900from the outdoor device 1600 penetrates the barrier 1800 to reach theindoor device 1600. RF signal 1902 from the indoor unit penetrates thebarrier 1800 to reach the outdoor unit. Reference item 1904 indicatesthat each of the indoor and outdoor devices 1600 may have theirorientations adjusted in three dimensions so as to align with eachother. Reference 1906 indicates mechanical attachment devices such as amagnet or a physical attachment device that allows devices 1600 to beattached to the surface of the barrier 1800 or some other object.

FIG. 20A shows an alternative embodiment of device 1600 in which each ofthe antennas 1602, 1612, 1614 and 1616 are mechanically adjustable(e.g., bendable, screwdriver adjustable) or electronically steerable sothat the operator can align them with either or both of the base station1002 or the wireless terminal device 708, 710. FIG. 20B illustrates thatthe device 1600 may able to align with the base station 1002 for longdistance communications. FIG. 20C illustrates that the device 1600 mayalso be aligned with both the base station 1002 and wireless terminaldevice 708, 710 to avoid an obstacle such as a building 2002.Alternatively, antenna array with phase shifters 2000 may be included inthe uplink and/or downlink paths to adjust the transmission beam toelectronically steer and align with the base station 1002 and/orwireless terminal 708, 710. The ability to adjust the alignment ofdevice 1600 allows for a line of sight that avoids obstacles such astrees, houses, large buildings and the like. In an alternativeembodiment, the device 1600 may have antenna array with phase shifters2000 in the uplink path that are controlled by the AOOC 1606 to shiftthe beam signal to avoid obstacles to reach the base station 1002.

Signals (or beams) 1601, 1613, 1615, 1617, 1900 and 1902 may be RFsignals. In particular, these signals may operate in the range ofapproximately 300 Megahertz to approximately 30 GigaHertz (GHz) and/orin the mmWave range of approximately 30 GHz to approximately 300 GHz oreven higher. These signals may also operate in the range of 2 GHz to 100GHz. Typically, these signals will also often operate approximately in arange of plus or minus (+/−) 20% of mmWave frequency signals such as 24GHz, 28 GHz, 39 GHz, 60 GHz, and/or 77 GHz (e.g., for 24 GHz the signalwould range from approximately 19 GHz to approximately 29 GHz).Alternatively, the signals can operate in the following ranges:approximately 2 GHz to approximately 12 GHz, approximately 5.95 GHz toapproximately 7.1 GHz; approximately 24 GHz to approximately 60 GHz.

FIG. 21 shows a front view close up of antenna array 2100. Antenna array2100 is a low cost antenna array in the form of a panel made and/orprinted on a thin film material. The device 1600 and the antennas (1602,1612, 1614 and 1616) can be easily attached to any surfaces of abuilding, or fixtures attached to a building. One of the preferredarrangements is window glass which has minimal obstructing views of thebase station. The antenna array 2100 can be applied and/or attached towindows, walls, smartphones, mobile phone casings, PCCCs, vehicles andthe like. The antenna array 2100 is made up of a plurality of M by N(M×N) or N by N (N×N) antenna elements arranged in a matrix. The matrixof antenna elements may be 1×4, 4×4, 8×8, 12×12, and others. The antennaarray 2100 can capture microwave and/or mmWave signals. The antennaarray 2100 can be located inside or outside buildings, on a buildingwall, on a post, on a corner, and/or vehicles. Radio wave beams can beformed and steered by adjusting the phases of signals transmitted orreceived from the elements of the antenna array 2100. Antennas 1602,1612, 1614 and 1616 discuss above may all be antenna arrays as describedherein.

Approximately or About: refers herein to a value that is almost corrector exact. For example, “approximately” or “about” may refer to a valuethat is within 1 to 10 percent of the exact (or desired) value. Itshould be noted, however, that the actual threshold value (or tolerance)may be application dependent. For example, in some embodiments,“approximately” or “about” may mean within 0.1% of some specified ordesired value, while in various other embodiments, the threshold may be,for example, 2%, 3%, 5%, and so forth, as desired or as required by theparticular application.

Automatically: refers herein to an action or operation performed by acomputer system (e.g., software executed by the computer system) ordevice (e.g., circuitry, programmable hardware elements, ASICs, etc.),without user input directly specifying or performing the action oroperation. Thus the term “automatically” is in contrast to an operationbeing manually performed or specified by the user, where the userprovides input to directly perform the operation. An automatic proceduremay be initiated by input provided by the user, but the subsequentactions that are performed “automatically” are not specified by theuser, i.e., are not performed “manually”, where the user specifies eachaction to perform. For example, a user filling out an electronic form byselecting each field and providing input specifying information (e.g.,by typing information, selecting check boxes, radio selections, etc.) isfilling out the form manually, even though the computer system mustupdate the form in response to the user actions. The form may beautomatically filled out by the computer system where the computersystem (e.g., software executing on the computer system) analyzes thefields of the form and fills in the form without any user inputspecifying the answers to the fields. As indicated above, the user mayinvoke the automatic filling of the form, but is not involved in theactual filling of the form (e.g., the user is not manually specifyinganswers to fields but rather they are being automatically completed).The present specification provides various examples of operations beingautomatically performed in response to actions the user has taken.

Communication: in this disclosure, devices that are described as in“communication” with each other or “coupled” to each other need not bein continuous communication with each other or in direct physicalcontact, unless expressly specified otherwise. On the contrary, suchdevices need only transmit to each other as necessary or desirable, andmay actually refrain from exchanging data most of the time. For example,a machine in communication with or coupled with another machine via theInternet may not transmit data to the other machine for long period oftime (e.g. weeks at a time). In addition, devices that are incommunication with or coupled with each other may communicate directlyor indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

Configured To: various components may be described as “configured to”perform a task or tasks. In such contexts, “configured to” is a broadrecitation generally meaning “having structure that” performs the taskor tasks during operation. As such, the component can be configured toperform the task even when the component is not currently performingthat task (e.g., a set of electrical conductors may be configured toelectrically connect a module to another module, even when the twomodules are not connected). In some contexts, “configured to” may be abroad recitation of structure generally meaning “having circuitry that”performs the task or tasks during operation. As such, the component canbe configured to perform the task even when the component is notcurrently on. In general, the circuitry that forms the structurecorresponding to “configured to” may include hardware circuits. Variouscomponents may be described as performing a task or tasks, forconvenience in the description. Such descriptions should be interpretedas including the phrase “configured to.” Reciting a component that isconfigured to perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not toinvoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) interpretation for that component.

Although process (or method) steps may be described or claimed in aparticular sequential order, such processes may be configured to work indifferent orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps thatmay be explicitly described or claimed does not necessarily indicate arequirement that the steps be performed in that order unlessspecifically indicated. Further, some steps may be performedsimultaneously despite being described or implied as occurringnon-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described after the otherstep) unless specifically indicated. Moreover, the illustration of aprocess by its depiction in a drawing does not imply that theillustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modificationsthereto, does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its stepsare necessary to the embodiment(s), and does not imply that theillustrated process is preferred.

Means Plus Function Language: to aid the Patent Office and any readersof any patent issued on this application in interpreting the claimsappended hereto, applicants wish to note that they do not intend any ofthe appended claims or claim elements to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unlessthe words “means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in theparticular claim.

Ranges: it should be noted that the recitation of ranges of values inthis disclosure are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method ofreferring individually to each separate value falling within the range,unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value isincorporated into the specification as if it were individually recitedherein. Therefore, any given numerical range shall include whole andfractions of numbers within the range. For example, the range “1 to 10”shall be interpreted to specifically include whole numbers between 1 and10 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, . . . 9) and non-whole numbers (e.g., 1.1, 1.2, . . .1.9).

The foregoing description and embodiments have been presented forpurposes of illustration and description and are not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the embodiments in any sense to the precise formdisclosed. Also, many modifications and variations are possible in lightof the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described to bestexplain the principles of the disclosure and its practical applicationto thereby enable others skilled in the art to best use the variousembodiments disclosed herein and with various modifications suited tothe particular use contemplated. The actual scope of the invention is tobe defined by the claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A communication device system having anindoor unit and an outdoor unit located on both sides of a barriercomprising: the indoor unit comprising: an indoor unit downlink pathhaving an indoor unit low noise amplifier in an on state; an indoorunit, uplink path receiving antenna in an indoor unit uplink pathcapable of receiving a first signal from a wireless user terminal at afirst frequency and coupled to an indoor unit receive signal detectorand amplifier (RSDA); an indoor unit controller capable of receiving anindication from the indoor unit RSDA that the first signal has beenreceived and automatically turning on the indoor unit uplink path byactivating indoor unit power amplifier and turning off the indoor unitdownlink path by turning off the indoor unit low noise amplifier; andthe indoor unit power amplifier capable of amplifying the first signaland sending the first signal to an indoor unit, uplink path transmittingantenna which is capable of transmitting the first signal at the firstfrequency to the outdoor unit; the outdoor unit comprising: an outdoorunit downlink path having an outdoor unit low noise amplifier in an onstate; an outdoor unit, uplink path receiving antenna in an outdoor unituplink path capable of receiving the first signal at the first frequencyand coupled to an outdoor unit RSDA; an outdoor unit controller capableof receiving an indication from the outdoor unit RSDA that the firstsignal has been received and automatically turning on the outdoor unituplink path by activating an outdoor unit power amplifier and turningoff the outdoor unit downlink path by turning off the outdoor unit lownoise amplifier; and the outdoor unit power amplifier capable ofamplifying the first signal and sending the first signal to an outdoorunit, uplink path transmitting antenna which is capable of transmittingthe first signal at the first frequency to a base station.
 2. The systemof claim 1, further comprising: an indoor unit, downlink path receivingantenna capable of receiving a second signal at a second frequency andcoupled to the indoor unit low noise amplifier; the indoor unit lownoise amplifier capable of amplifying the second signal and forwardingthe second signal to an indoor unit, downlink path transmitting antennawhich is capable of transmitting the second signal at the secondfrequency to a wireless user terminal.
 3. The system of claim 2, furthercomprising: an outdoor unit, downlink path receiving antenna capable ofreceiving signals of a second frequency from the base station; andwherein the indoor unit, uplink path receiving antenna; outdoor unit,uplink path transmitting antenna; outdoor unit, downlink path receivingantenna; and indoor unit, downlink path receiving antenna are antennaarrays.
 4. The system of claim 2 wherein the first signal is an analogsignal and the second signal is an analog signal.
 5. The system of claim1, wherein the indoor unit power amplifier and indoor unit low noiseamplifier cannot both be operating at the same time.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the first frequency is in a range of about 2 GigaHertz(GHz) to 100 GHz.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the indoor unit,uplink path receiving antenna and indoor unit, downlink pathtransmitting antenna are antenna arrays capable of RF beam steering. 8.The system of claim 1, wherein directions of the indoor unit, downlinkpath transmitting antenna and outdoor unit, uplink path transmittingantenna are each capable of being adjusted by RF beam steering.
 9. Acommunication device comprising: a housing having a downlink pathincluding a low noise amplifier in an on state when there is no uplinksignal; a first antenna in an uplink path capable of receiving theuplink signal at a first frequency and coupled to a receive signaldetector and amplifier (RSDA); a controller capable of receiving anindication from the RSDA that the uplink signal has been received andautomatically turning on the uplink path by activating a power amplifierand turning off the downlink path by turning off the low noiseamplifier, and wherein the controller does not allow the power amplifierand low noise amplifier to both be operating at the same time; and thepower amplifier capable of amplifying the uplink signal and sending theuplink signal to a second antenna which is capable of transmitting theuplink signal at the first frequency.
 10. The communication device ofclaim 9, further comprising: a phase shifter in the uplink pathcontrolled by the controller to direct the beam of the uplink signal.11. A communication system having a first unit and a second unit locatedon both sides of a barrier comprising: the first unit comprising: afirst unit downlink path having a first unit low noise amplifier in anon state; a first unit receiving antenna in a first uplink path capableof receiving a first signal at a first frequency and coupled to a firstunit receive signal detector and amplifier (RSDA); a first unitcontroller capable of receiving an indication from the first unit RSDAthat the first signal has been received and automatically turning on thefirst uplink path by activating a first unit power amplifier and turningoff the first unit downlink path by turning off the first unit low noiseamplifier, wherein the first unit controller does not allow the firstunit power amplifier and the first unit low noise amplifier to both beoperating at the same time; and and the first unit power amplifiercapable of amplifying the first signal and sending the first signal to afirst unit transmitting antenna which is capable of transmitting thefirst signal at the first frequency to the second unit; and the secondunit comprising: a second unit downlink path having a second unit lownoise amplifier in an on state; a second unit receiving antenna in asecond unit uplink path capable of receiving the first signal at thefirst frequency and coupled to a second unit receive signal detector andamplifier (RSDA); a second unit controller capable of receiving anindication from the second unit RSDA that the first signal has beenreceived and automatically turning on the second unit uplink path byactivating a second unit power amplifier and turning off the second unitdownlink path by turning off the second unit low noise amplifier;wherein the second unit controller operates a second unit phase shifterto direct the alignment of the first signal; and the second unit poweramplifier capable of amplifying the first signal and sending the firstsignal to a second unit transmitting antenna which is capable oftransmitting the first signal at the first frequency to a base station.12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first signal frequency is in arange of approximately 2 GigaHertz (GHz) to approximately 100 GHz. 13.The system of claim 11, wherein the second unit transmitting antenna isan antenna array capable of RF beam steering.
 14. The system of claim11, wherein the second unit transmitting antenna is an antenna array.15. The system of claim 11, wherein a direction of the second unittransmitting antenna is capable of being adjusted by by RF beamsteering.